Galesburg police seize 145 pounds of pot in traffic stop

GALESBURG — Galesburg Police Department officers arrested a West Virginia man Monday on Interstate 74 for transporting roughly 145 pounds of marijuana, making it one of the largest single pot seizures in recent years.

David G. Joseph, 68, is facing two Class X felony charges of marijuana trafficking and the manufacturing and delivery of marijuana, as well as one Class 1 felony of possession of marijuana.

According to police, Joseph was pulled over as part of a routine traffic stop near mile marker 53 early Monday morning. Officers reported Joseph was acting “nervously” during questioning about his travels and destination.

Following additional questioning, GPD officers employed the department’s K-9 unit, which alerted police to the presence of marijuana hidden inside a number of plastic bags in suitcases in the backseat of Joseph’s SUV.

GPD officials estimate the total street value of the marijuana seized during the arrest to be about $600,000.

Monday’s seizure dwarfs those of late in terms of sheer weight. The GPD recovered 24 pounds of pot in a bust last May, and 20 pounds was seized during an Amtrak drug interdiction arrest this past August.

Additionally, 13 pounds of marijuana was uncovered in two unconnected drug arrests on the same Amtrak California Zephyr line train earlier this month.

Police told The Register-Mail Friday the incident remains under investigation. Joseph remains in the Knox County jail on $150,000 bond. He will appear in court with an attorney at 9:45 a.m. Monday.